DfE statement A21 · Algebra
Forming and solving equations from situations
Forming and solving equations from situations is content statement A21 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the algebra area. It is on both tiers, and it appears on both the calculator and the non-calculator papers. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 3 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.
What the specification says
The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Translate simple situations or procedures into algebraic expressions or formulae; derive an equation (or two simultaneous equations), solve the equation(s) and interpret the solution." (statement A21). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
Tier
Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.
Calculator
This turns up on both the non-calculator and the calculator papers, so practise it both ways — the written method for Paper 1 and the efficient calculator route for Papers 2 and 3.
Common mistakes
- Defining x as one quantity and then silently using it as another halfway through.
- Solving correctly and not answering the question asked — giving x when the question wanted the cost, the age or the perimeter.
- Introducing a second letter where one will do: consecutive integers are x and x + 1, not x and y.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is forming and solving equations from situations on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for forming and solving equations from situations?
It depends on the paper. Paper 1 is non-calculator; Papers 2 and 3 allow one, and this topic is asked on both kinds.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Defining x as one quantity and then silently using it as another halfway through.
Are these past paper questions?
No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.
Back to Algebra at Foundation or at Higher.